The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 29, 1997
SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A driver circuit is for turning on at least one power MOS transistor having a diode connected thereto. The driver circuit preferably includes a smart driver circuit portion for increasing a drive current to the power MOS transistor responsive to turning on of the diode. The smart driver circuit may include a comparator having one input connected to the diode and a second input connected to a threshold signal indicative of the turning on of the diode. The smart driver circuit may also comprise: a first current source for supplying a first drive current; a second current source for supplying a second drive current; and a switch for connecting the second current source to the power MOS transistor responsive to the comparator. The smart driver circuit may further include a turn off circuit for turning off the increased drive current a predetermined time after turning on same, such as before turning off the first current. In addition, the second current source may supply a second drive current at least one order of magnitude larger that the first drive current. Of course, the driver circuit may be implemented with bipolar and MOS transistors Buck, boost, and buck-boost regulators may be implemented.